Pat Beverley sits out against the Wizards

Rockets starting point guard Pat Beverley did not play on Wednesday night against Washington because he re-injured the abdominal muscle that he tore in the first game of the season.

Beverley had an MRI on Wednesday morning and was ruled out with an abdominal strain.

“I am in a little pain,” he said. “It is not even close to what it was earlier in the year.”

Beverley said he was sitting out as a precaution so the injury wouldn’t get any worse. He said he would be available when the Rockets play the Lakers in Los Angeles on Feb. 19. It will be their first game back after the All-Star break.

Beverley said that he wasn’t sure when he suffered the strain. He went through Tuesday’s practice and said he was in pain when he woke up on Wednesday morning.

“Pat’s one of the toughest guys on the team so if he can’t go it must be really bothering him,” coach Kevin McHale said.